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West Coast Times, Issue 233, 18 June 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

CoNSiDEnABLE interest attaches to the approaching Session of tho General Assembly, which is convened for despatch of business on tho 30th instant. Some changes have been effected in Mr ' Stafford's Cabinet, amongst tho most important of which are the accessions to it of Mr Johnston, a Wellington member,, and of Mr Jollio, ono of the representa> tives of Canterbury. It is understood, that the former gentleman will hold a seat in tho Executive Council without departmental office ; and that the latter will take the portfolio of Colonial Treasurer. It is rumored that Major liichardson, tho former Superintendent of Otago, and lately Postmaster-Gene-ral in the Weld Ministry, wijl also join Mr. Stafford's Government, but in what capacity is not stated. As a considerablo amount of preliminary business, incident to the meeting of a new Parliament, will have to be transacted before the Houses proceed to the consideration of legislative measures, it is not probable that tho actual work of the Session will bo taken in hand until the close of tho first week in July.

Amongst the measures likely to be submitted, is one for the readjustment of the present system of taxation. A Royal Commission has lately been appointed to enquire into and report upon two subjects, sufficiently distinct in themselves, but which it has apparently been thought convenient to refer to the same body — which consists partly of gentlemen nominated by the Governors of the neighbouring colonies, in compliance with the request of tho New Zealand Government. Tho first of these is tho reorganisation of the Civil Service of the Colony ; tho second, the expediency of imposing an Income tax and the best means of collecting it. A very general public feeling exists ngainst the Litter scliemc, which is all the stronger because no information has been vouchsafed as to the real intentions of the Government; and the public remain in ignorance as to whether tho proposal is intended as an additional means of taxation or merely as a change in tho riiocle of raising the public revenue. If a mere alteration iix the fiscal system ■It is contended that an income tax is .• unsuited. to the circumstances of theh.colony, and likely to operate voxatiously. , If intended to increase tho financial burdens of tho people, it is affirmed that no necessity can bo shown for any inoasiW of ohlavged., taxation.' Tho native ww U vogavdod us virtually

over ; the Customs revenues aro constantly augumenting ; and the West Coast goldfields have furnished tho Government with a new and prolific sourco of income. In addition to the threatened Income tax there are rumors of a Stamp duty to bo levied. In tho discussion of theso measures, if they are introduced, the Assembly will find ample occupation, although other questions of equal importance and of much greater urgency will demand attention.

The subject of the separation of the Middle or South Island from the North, has been freely debated during the elections for the Assembly, especially iv the two powerful provinces of Can : terbury and Otago. TII6 impression^ prevails generally that the Southern provinces, having nothing but peaceful and industrial pursuits to attend to,

suffer greatly from their connection with

J the North j not only because of the large contributions exacted from them for the [maintenance of a war with which they havo not the remotest connection, but from the little leisure enjoyed by the Goncal Government to give attention to their interests, owing to the constant and exacting urgencies of this war. In the Province of.

Canterbury, of which Westland forms

an integral portion, very great inconvenience has been experienced from the delay iv tho issue of writs for tho election of Superintendent, aud of members of the Provincial Council. For a long time the action of Government was virtually suspended. Whilst the mere machinery of administration was kept going everything elso was allowed to wait for the introduction of tho new regime. In this district tho most serious consequences ensued, All' public works were held in nboyance. An interim Government, utterly inadequate to tho advanced development of the country, was perpetuated, nnd at a time when the most energetic measures wore pressingly required for opening up the resources of tho district, nnd when

there was a universal call for tho establishment of a local administration, thero was no 'help for the peoplo but to

" wait ;" and they had to wait until the Governor of tho colony — who was away

in the interior, negotiating and coquetting with Maori chiefs — could bo hunted down and got to sign the necessary writs of election for giving the province a now Superintendent, a new Executive, and a now Provincial Council. The circumstances havo naturally excited a strong feeling of dissatisfaction throughout this province, especially in tho Westland district ; and the question of the separation of the two islands

— which is a largo and momentous one

— if it do not claim attention during the next session of tho General Assembly, is ono that will constitute an important element in tho future politics of the colony.

Various matters of grave interest to the West Coast may be expected to be brought before Parliament by Mr Moor-

house, the member fov tho district, but of theso we shall be in a bettor position to speak at tho time of tho departure of the noxt mail.